Apparently, this was a condition for GM to receive more in government loans. That being said, my sympathy for Waggoner is minimal. GM is a sinking ship whose captain and lieutenants continue to ignore what needs to be done while still relying on stupidity to keep things afloat. It’s like a man whose bad cough is from lung cancer, but instead of getting chemo and possibly removal surgery he chooses to just use cough syrup instead.

Since I spent 1991 to 1995 in a conservative Christian college and then 1996 to 1997 in the Army where I didn’t have direct access to a television on a daily basis, I missed out on some great television shows. Right now on Netflix, I’m watching Northern Exposure. Through my son’s account, I’m also watching Star Trek: Voyager. I deeply regret not watching these shows when they were on the air. Yes, it’s great to have the DVD option of skipping through boring commercials and not having to wait the next week or next season to find out what happens next, but there’s something about getting to see it when it’s current and on television.

Of course, Dr. Joel Fleischman, Maggie O’Connell, Captain Kathryn Janeway and Chakotay aren’t real, but you know it’s a brilliant show when the actors play the parts so well that they seem real. When the show’s off the air and you wonder, “I wonder what Dr. Fleischman/O’Connell/Captain/Chakotay are doing now?”

Am taking it nice and slow since I don’t really know what it’s all about. At this stage it’s more of an experimentation. I remember the first time I went on Myspace I deleted my account because of all the adult spam I received. Even now, I use Myspace mostly for professional purposes. There are some bands that I deal with as a journalist, and the best way to reach them is through Myspace.

The jury’s deliberating in his second trial for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. The first trial resulted in a 10-2 hung jury, 10 for conviction and two for acquittal.

Now, he’s being tried on second-degree murder charges. The jury also has the option of convicting him of involuntary manslaughter.

Here’s what I think will happen:

1) He’s acquitted and then quietly settles out-of-court on a wrongful death lawsuit brought on by Ms. Clarkson’s family.

2) He’s convicted of second-degree murder and then goes to either a country-club prison or house arrest and then quietly settles out-of-court on a wrongful death lawsuit brought on by Ms. Clarkson’s family.

3) He’s convicted of manslaughter and gets probation and, yes, then quietly settles out-of-court on a wrongful death lawsuit brought on by Ms. Clarkson’s family.

Do I think he’s guilty? Heck, I’m still trying to grasp the “wall of sound” concept.

An anonymous source tells me that yesterday, March 26, about 18 or so people at General Motor’s Weld Tool Center in Grand Blanc, Michigan, received taps on the shoulder. Their services were no longer needed, and they were escorted out. Their personal belongings left behind, ostensibly to be shipped to them later.

This source (don’t bother asking who) also told me that several of those let go were good employees who actually knew what they were doing.

GM has had this disturbing habit lately of getting rid of its good workers but practically fighting to the death to protect those who are useless.

I might be doing that here for the time being as well. I had been blogging at one site, but when I’d type the screen would fade to one of those absolutely annoying advertisements. You know me–a restless person who absolutely hates being halted. So, here it goes:

…Thanks for the memories, Curt Schilling. My only regret about your career is that when you pitched for the Houston Astros, you had to deal with inept ownership. If not for the hapless ways of the late John McMullen, Houston might have a World Series title. But then, if you had stayed in Houston, you probably would’ve fallen under the Nolan Ryan curse: lots of strikeouts, low ERA but terrible win/loss record due to no run support. Thank you for helping the Red Sox end their curse…

…Houston Astros manager Cecil Cooper said recently the Astros would win 90 games this season. I say Cooper is one heck of an optimist.

Yes, maybe the ‘Stros will surprise us all. They have some solid veterans, but I worry about their bullpen, their starters and their hitting. Seems like the best remedy for a pitching slump the past few years in baseball is to pitch against someone wearing an Astros uniform.

Or maybe Houston figures they can blind opponents with their ugly uniforms…

…Jim Rice’s Hall of Fame induction is horribly overdue. I don’t understand how Rice squeaked in in the final year of eligibility while the very-overrated Ozzie Smith gets in easily in his first year. Congrats, Mr. Rice. You deserve it.